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Fight Insomnia with Melatonin, Magnolia and other Natural Sleep Aids!
5) Taurine is an amino acid, and potent antioxidant. Found in the nervous system and muscles, taurine supports brain neurotransmitters, including melatonin and GABA, and helps regulate their release into the brain. It also regulates heartbeat; maintains the stability of cell membranes; regulates the transport of potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium in and out of cells; and regulates the activity of brain cells. Low amounts of taurine may cause anxiety, epilepsy, hyperactivity and poor brain function. On the other hand, sufficient taurine levels are believed to contribute to a feeling of calmness, essential to restful sleep.171819
6) Bacopa monniera—named Brahmi in the Ayurvedic texts, probably for Lord Brahma, the Hindu creator of the world and originator of Ayurveda—is recognized as a powerful brain enhancer.20 It is still considered to be the greatest herb in Ayurveda for treating age-related mental decline, as well as for improving cognitive processes, including comprehension, memory and recall. It also enhances the crucial coordination of these three aspects of mental functioning, and helps increase one's ability to solve problems.
For 4 weeks, 35 patients were treated for anxiety neurosis. After treatment they were assessed for clinical anxiety levels, maladjustment levels, mental fatigue rate, and immediate memory span. The patients who took bacopa had a 20% reduction in anxiety levels. Their maladjustment and mental fatigue were significantly lower than before treatment, and their immediate memory-span scores were significantly increased.
In other words, bacopa improved memory and productivity by reducing anxiety and related problems.21 A number of compounds have been identified in bacopa, including bacosides A and B, two chemicals that improve the transmission of impulses between nerve cells in the brain.22 These bacosides regenerate synapses and repair damaged neurons, making it easier to learn and remember new information. Bacopa also increases serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation.
How much sleep do you really need?
That answer varies from individual to individual. What we do know is sleep is as important as food and air, and both the quantity and quality we get are also extremely important. Six and one-half to seven hours of uninterrupted sleep seem to be the magic number for a lot of people. Interestingly, research shows that sleeping more than eight hours may have deleterious effects, although the reasons for this are less clear. According to data from the Cancer Prevention Study II, individuals who average seven hours of sleep each night have a lower mortality rate than do those who sleep eight hours or more.23
"The lowest [mortality] group actually slept between six and one-half to seven and one-half hours," said Daniel F. Kripke, MD, a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. "The major mortality risk associated with habitual sleep duration is among long sleepers, by which I mean those sleeping eight hours or more. In-cidentally, calling them long sleepers is accurate, because from the new data we know that the average American on weekdays sleeps about six and one-half hours."
Specifically, he said, individuals who slept eight hours per night were 12% more likely to die within six years than were those who slept seven hours. The highest mortality rates occurred among men and women who slept more than eight and one-half hours. This group had at least a 15% increased risk of death, said Dr. Kripke. As for short sleep, men who slept less than four and one-half hours and women who slept less than three and one-half hours also had at least a 15% increased risk of death. Dr. Kripke presented his findings at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.24
Conclusion
Many of us are under constant pressure—at work, home, and even at play—and instead of dealing with periodic episodes of stress, we are now dealing with stress syndrome. But stress is much more than a modern-day inconvenience. It is a serious hazard that can lead to anxiety, depression, life-threatening diseases … and lack of sleep. The problem is, if you're not getting enough of it, sleeplessness can drain your energy, compromise your immunity, and—like stress—increase your risk of other diseases. The main thing is to try to be consistent. Get into a routine, and try to go to bed at the same time every night. Start to wind down a couple of hours before bedtime, and take a sleep formula with time-tested, scientifically proven herbs and nutrients to help you relax and sleep through the night. Before you know it, you'll be sleeping like a baby… and will feel revitalized and ready to face the challenges of your world.
Editor's Note:
The natural health solutions described in this article are available through many on-line retailers including those listed below. By clicking these links you help support the important alternative health research we provide.
Visit www.amazon.com – a great way to find competitive deals on supplements offered by many different manufacturers.
Visit www.hfn-usa.com – when commitment to quality and freshness is important, this factory direct solution is preferred by many of our readers.
This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a physician before embarking on a dietary supplement program.
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